A blog about the Big Four of the English Premier League

The 2010 World cup final : Preview

So Final-ly it all comes down to this. The “FIFA World Cup” is on its way home to one of the two European bigwigs. Two nations with huge history, that have produced as many legends of the game, as any other country. Two teams that have embraced their own style of the game, be it the Total Voetball or the Tiki Taka. They boast of some of the world’s best academies in Ajax and Barcelona, that have churned out players of rare breed for decades. And yet when it happens that their best achievement have been limited to European championships, its only fair that these two will be vying for the coveted trophy this coming Sunday.

Hup Holland Hup or Vamos Espana?

While there will be plenty of food for thought amongst the WC debaters, ranging from the over-ratedness of the English, the ethnicity of the Germans, the mistakes of the linesmen, to Larissa Riquelme’s cell phone stand, the person who decided to put two flags in front of an octopus and the one who decided to name it Paul, one has to admit that the Spanish were always going to make it to this stage. Whether they looked like it or not. Any kind of over-confidence that the team might have carried through(like France in 2002) were put to bed after their loss to Switzerland. Getting tagged as favorites is one of the self-destructive things teams in the history of the world cup(except Brazil maybe) have had to combat with. And Del Bosque and his armada of pass masters have done just about that, winning matches albeit unimpressive scorelines.

Netherlands on the other hand, were expected by many to give a brilliant and promising display before bowing out in the quarters a la Euro ’08. More like teams that win their opening few matches in a pompous style get exposed at one stage or another, just ask Germany. Conscious of this prophecy or not, Van Marwijk assembled a team that had enough cover for its defence and enough sting in its attack to make it to this stage. He stuck with the “industrious”(always preceded by this adjective) Dirk Kuyt even as many found it ill-advised. And now after a goal and three non-selfish assists from Kuyt, Van Marwijk has certainly won over his critics. It could be that. Or it could be that Sneijder has been better overall than two years ago. We wouldn’t know for sure.

Just not their style, literally speaking

The non-emphatic manner of their victories is not the only common thing between the two teams. Both have players going for the golden boot, Sneijder and Villa, who have played a major part in their team’s success. Both have under-performing strikers, Torres and RVP, who might just about be saving it for the best moment. And both can count on Robben or Iniesta as players who can inspire at a glance. (Both have Liverpool players, as a matter of fact). But beyond these, any mano-a-mano comparison seems to pale away in favour of the Spanish.

Not many will put it past Spain in finishing the job they started two years ago. This is a team of players who could be valued at the rate of 40m each and yet they represent no egos. Heck, there is an entire nation capable of winning the cup that is being left on the bench. And there’s hardly a groan about it, compared to the flak about the England Camp’s Joe Cole debate. Instead, they have stamped their class by showing support for the team whenever required. Spain’s virtue lies in them being a well-knit unit on the pitch(Off the pitch though, they have the odd habit of sampling Cesc’s DNA). Their game requires it, to constantly press the opponents and tire them, so that they could score their 75th min goal and then defend against the worn-out side.

The Dutch will look for something from Van Persie. He ain’t no Van Basten, but Van Basten as you know has never been in a final. Van Bommel at DM has been a monster so far. Also looks the closest to conjure a Materazzi head butt moment, which his father-in-law/coach must be aware of. And then the footballer of the year, Wesley Sneijder who will be starting as the cleverest footballer on the pitch tomorrow. He was part of Inter that saw off Barcelona this year, and one who personally signed up that day for the cause of marking Xavi. History beckons as he looks to do the same against Spain, with a chance to win the Grand slam equivalent of Football.

Advertisements

Rate this:

Like this:

LikeLoading...

Related

4 Responses

Van Persie played his best match of the competition in the semis I thought, which isn’t saying much, but still. Hope he doesn’t have a stinker and that he isn’t too knackered for the start of the season.

Also, is it only me or does Dirk Kuyt always play better for his national side? Now I’m not saying he’s poor for Liverpool, far from it, and I’m also not saying it’s a conscious decision by him or anything. But he plays so much better in orange, or at least seems to.

He had a great 2008-09 season, esp during the title run in with 14 goals and assists which is not a bad return at all. Last season has been bad generally for all the players as known, so heres hoping he returns to the club with his WC form and then who knows….